From the Files of the Kosciusko County Historical Society

Editor’s note: This is a retrospective article that runs a few times a month on InkFreeNews.  

Information for this retrospective series is courtesy of the Kosciusko County Historical Society. For more history of Kosciusko County in the news visit yesteryear.clunette.com

Feb. 28, 1979 — The Warsaw Community High School Jazz Band No. 1 received a first division rating at the State Jazz Band Contest at Fort Wayne Snider High School last Saturday.

The band entered in Group I category, which is judged as the most difficult classification.

Members of the jazz band are: Bill Wise, Floie Stouder, Carolyn Daghlian, Marsha Wise, Tim McConnell, saxophones; Greg Stevens, Kraig Doub, Julia Zimmerman, Robin Town, Liz Scott, trumpets; Scott Kantenwein, Mark Conley, Rick Myers, Russ Baldwin, trombones; Steve Lovelady, bass; Scott Huffer, drums; Linda Nice and Jill Frush, piano and vibes.

Feb. 23, 1967 — Because George Washington established the Order of The Purple Heart, Lt. Col. William B. Scruggs, of the Culver Military Academy, chose Wednesday, Washington’s birthday, to present posthumously the Purple Heart medal to the foster parents. Mr. and Mrs. Bernard H. Simpson, of Kosciusko County’s first soldier to be killed in action in Vietnam — Sgt. Robert E. Taylor, 21, who was killed in action in Vietnam Nov. 5.

Feb. 27, 1962 — A $50,000 to $100,000 fire destroyed the century-old Warsaw Grain & Milling Co. plant, located on South Union Street (adjacent to the Pennsylvania Railroad tracks in Warsaw) at 4:15 this morning.

March 1838 —Washington Township was organized in March 1838.

The first settlers were John Makemson and his brother Vincent. They built the first house in the township on section 3 in spring 1835 and the same autumn, Vincent Makemson erected the second house in the township.

The first election was held at the house of Martin Braysted in April 1838, and Lewis Keith was elected justice of the peace.

The first death was that of a daughter of John and Mrs. Bratt in 1838. Abner McQuigg died the next year and was the first interred in the Ryerson Cemetery, which was donated for such purposes by George W. Ryerson in 1839.

– Compiled by InkFreeNews reporter Lasca Randels